N.H. man faces 4th OUI charge after Chelmsford chase

LOWELL -- When Chelmsford police responded Sunday to a report of a disabled motor vehicle on Turnpike Road, they found several people trying to stop an alleged drunk driver from driving away.

As the cruiser pulled up behind the truck with lights and sirens, prosecutors say James Sawyer, who has three previous drunken-driving convictions, drove off.

As more cruisers joined the pursuit, police said the Toyota Tacoma was barely able to stay on the road. The pickup truck swerved from side to side, blew through a traffic signal without stopping and forced other cars off the road.

In Lowell District Court on Monday, Sawyer, 50, of Nashua, N.H., was ordered held on $2,000 cash bail after pleading not guilty to operating under the influence -- fourth offense, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, failure to stop for police, and marked lanes violation.

Prosecutor Rachel Perlman alleges that after Sawyer pulled over, he got out of the truck "in a state of rage," screaming obscenities at police with his fists clenched.

After being booked at the Chelmsford police station, Sawyer allegedly assumed a "Sumo wrestling position'' and threw himself against the cell doors, Perlman said.

In arguing for her client to be released, defense attorney Jeanne Earley explained that Sawyer had a pacemaker installed two weeks ago.

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Earley also disputed that Sawyer has three prior drunken-driving convictions and asked that his record be checked.

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